Encouraging our tiny voices at your local library

To celebrate the annual Voices on the Coast Youth Literature festival, Sunshine Coast Council Libraries are promoting reading to all the tiny voices in our community through special Storytime events.

From February 18-20, Sunshine Coast Library staff will begin their storytime sessions with Nop written by local author and Voices on the Coast presenter, Caroline Magerl.

Community Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said storytime sessions helped to provide parents and caregivers a friendly, social environment to introduce their little ones to books, and encourage an early love of reading.

“I’m so pleased our Sunshine Coast Libraries are running storytime sessions to recognise the Voices on the Coast Youth Literature festival – it’s the little ones we’re reading to today, that might grow up to become award-winning writers at future festivals,” Cr McKay said.

The Voices on the Coast Youth Literature festival has been running since 1996. It has brought some of Australia’s finest established and emerging writers and performers for young people to the Sunshine Coast for two days of workshops, book talks, storytelling, poetry and drama.

“Storytime sessions are one of the brilliant interactive sessions and resources provided by Sunshine Coast Libraries to aid in your child’s early literacy development,” Cr McKay said.

“As we know, up to 90 per cent of a child’s brain development happens during their first five years of life, so the more we talk, read, sing and play with our little ones, the more their brain responds.

“I encourage all new parents and caregivers to pop into their local library and chat to our friendly staff about ways they can help – after all, it takes a village to raise a child!”

To celebrate the Voices on the Coast Youth Literature festival, Sunshine Coast Libraries also have two signed copies of Nop up for grabs. For all the details head to the library website: library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

Tiny Voices Storytime Sessions